Gambler's Choice

Gambler's Choice (1944)

** (out of 4)

Low-budget rip of MGM's MANHATTAN MELODRAMA has pretty much the same story (which itself was ripped countless times before this movie). In the film three childhood friends get caught stealing some money with two being released to their parents but the third being sent to a reform school. As adults, the bad gambler (Chester Morris) meets up with his friends with one being a cop (Russell Hayden) and of course they're both in love with the good girl (Nancy Kelly). If you're familiar with the crime pictures of the 1930s then it's pretty certain you've seen MANHATTAN MELODRAMA or if not you've probably seen the classic ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES, which followed the same storyline in a way. The entire plot of friends going on opposite sides of the law wasn't original in the 30s but by the 40s it was even more played out and tiresome. I must admit that I was pretty much bored out of my mind at the five-minute mark when the kids were finishing up. When the adult actors came on screen things never really picked up and that's a real shame because they could have done so much with this film. Morris, one of my favorites, is wasted and pretty much sleepwalks through the film. That typical charm and energy the actor brings to most roles was missing here and his chemistry with Davis and Hayden wasn't too strong. Hayden was pretty good in his role but the screenplay offers him very little. Supporting players Lyle Talbot, Lee Patrick and Lloyd Corrigan are pretty much wasted in their small roles as well. What I never understood about rips is why their producers, screenwriters, directors or at least stars never spoke up to try and change at least a little something. I mean, would it have been too much to ask for at least one little pinch of the story to be altered? I understand going down the same road but why not at least change it up a bit to where your viewer won't be bored because they've seen it all before? Granted, some rips are at least nice entertaining but sadly that's not the case with this thing and its 66-minutes go by at a very slow pace.